"You couldn't even really look at anyone, they were just all too busy.

"I got my stuff out and we're here to help everyone, but when it came to the crunch and police knocked on the door, it was just get your stuff and go." It's estimated some Mount Larcom residents had about 30 minutes between knowing about the fire and being forced to leave.

Gladstone Police Inspector Darren Sommerville described it as a "very quick event".

"The fire started at Ambrose and moved quickly along the Bruce Highway to Mount Larcom and there was very little time," he said.

"I'd like to thank the community for co-operating for police ... it made it so much easier for the fire service to defend the Mount Larcom township."